From pirates and shipwrecks to aquamarine waters, emerald islands and coral reefs. Bisayne National Park is within sight of Miami but offers a relaxing atmosphere. Look out over the bay, boat, snorkel, camp or just watch the wildlife.

The park covers 172,971 acres (69,999 ha) and includes Elliott Key, the park's largest island and first of the true Florida Keys.

Also known as the natural Keys & home to two national wildlife refuges, a national marine sanctuary and a state park. With pristine waters, native fauna, flush hammocks and an array of nature trails you won't run out of things to do.

Florida Islands

The U.S. state of Florida has a total of 4,510 islands that are ten acres or larger in size. Second only to Alaska in islands among U.S. States the major island chains in Florida include the Keys, the Sea Islands, The Barrier Islands of the Intracoastal Waterway and the Ten Thousand Islands.

Now Florida contains what are referred to as Islands and Keys. A difference between the two can be that Keys generally do not have fresh water. Islands are usually land that is surrounded by water, they are either continental (part of a continents shelf) or volcanic (formed by an undersea volcano).

Keys, also called cay (pronounced the same) which is believed to have come from the Spanish word “Cayo” (or Native Peoples as this was their name for island), are formed by coral reefs. Reef debris accumulate in certain areas depending on currents and other factors, over time they form. The sediment that accumulates over time forms the Key. The sediment is generally made up of the skeletal remains of animals and plant life.

Keys are sandy, low-elevation islands that form on top of coral reefs. Size is not a factor, but formation, makeup and elevation however, are factors.

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About Our Site

Our website hopes to provide the resources you’ll want to read and reference about the Florida Keys. The Keys were originally inhabited by Calusa and Tequesta Native Americans. They were later found and charted by Ponce de León in 1513.

The major industries are fishing and tourism, including ecotourism, with many visitors scuba diving in the area's protected waters. We bring our local knowledge of shopping, dining, hotel, fishing and culture recommendations as well as articles that demonstrate the essence of each of the keys.